Nurturing Roots: A Look Into Our Early Childhood Programs
Written by Acacia Moore:
For many families, Parent-Child classes at City of Fountains become a vital aspect of their community, and the beginning of a vibrant and full chapter of life that lasts throughout the grade school years. Parent-Child classes take place at Cave Spring Park, three times weekly, led by the beloved Ms. Kari Cottrell. Parent-Child classes offer a special opportunity to unplug, unwind, and escape the demands of everyday life. It's a chance to connect with other parents in similar life stages, bond with your child, and immerse yourself in nature.
When families recognize their own child is ready for an individual school experience, they can choose to begin with our newest addition to the Early Childhood Program: Wind Rose “Bridge to Kindergarten” on Fridays. This bridge program is led by Ms. Acacia Moore and is especially catered to easing children into the independent social experience of being away from family. Some families participate in Parent-Child classes while sending their three to six year old to Wind Rose on Fridays, while others may plan on homeschooling and use this day as a single-school day option until their child is ready for the Grades Enrichment program.
The children of families who need more days of care are welcome to enroll in one of our two other mixed-age kindergartens: Star Garden (M-F), led by Ms. Dory Wheatley, or Wind Rose (M-Th), led by Ms. Mishka Green.
Our Early Childhood program is based on the developmental insights of Rudolf Steiner, and the pedagogical work of both Waldorf Education and LifeWays North America. Our mixed-age kindergartens are held in a gentle, home-like environment and, as mentioned before, our Parent-child classes are held in the nourishing environment of a local nature reserve. In all our classes, the children are given the opportunity to learn through play, purposeful activity and the imitation of conscious modeling by our teachers.
Reverence is held for both the natural world and the natural unfolding of the child. The day is structured in a rhythmic movement that engages the whole child in a slow awakening to their independent capabilities while deepening their sense of wholeness and interconnectivity with the world surrounding them. Each day's activities include an abundance of movement and free play, seasonal games and stories, practical life activities, and nurturing care of both the self and others. You can learn more details about both of these programs here.
Beginning a relationship with the school in these early years, parents gain an understanding of the underpinnings of Waldorf education and how it unfolds as their child grows into the grades program. They also discover a warm and authentic partnership of support in the guidance of their child and learn how they can create a healthy, coherent integration of life at school and at home to a degree that cannot be done with other forms of education. Our families discover how profoundly their children can thrive when both school and home are truly nourishing and empowering to each phase of their development.
“It’s truly an honor to have the opportunity to walk alongside families during the tender years of childhood; helping them navigate challenges, slow down, and truly savor this special time.” ~ Kari Cottrell
